A combat dog will finally be reunited in retirement with the ex-Marine handler with whom it was wounded in Iraq.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer told The Associated Press on Monday night that the Air Force has agreed to release Sgt. Rex into the care of former Cpl. Megan Leavey, of Rockland County, just north of New York City.

Leavey was injured with Rex in 2006 while trying to disarm an explosive. They convalesced together.

Rex is credited with saving lives and uncovering explosives that saved more.

Schumer had intervened when Leavey, a Purple Heart recipient, was first denied in her effort to adopt Rex in 2007. Rex was returned to service after he and Leavey had recovered from their injuries.

Now Rex, a black and brown German Shepherd, is 10 years and can’t continue his military service, but Schumer said bureaucracy still stood in the way of the adoption.

“We salute the Air Force and the Marines for doing the right thing and allowing Rex to be with Corporal Leavey,” Schumer said Monday night. “One canine, one human, both heroes. They should be united shortly, and we’re glad it’s happening.”

What makes this particularly emotional is that Rex has been diagnosed with a form of nerve paralysis, and Leavey was trying to adopt him before he was put down.